Spray dispenser for pressurized liquid having timer control



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIIIII Il J. J. MANGEL June 8, 1965 SPRAY DISPENSER Eon PREssuEIzED LIQUID HAVING TIMER CONTROL Filed April 3, 1964 AGEA/7' J. J. MANGEL June 8, 1965 SPRAY DISPENSER FOR PRESSURIZED LIQUID HAVING TIMER CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5. 1964 INVENTOR. JOHN d. MANGEL l AGEA/T June 8, 1965 J. J. MANGEL 3,187,949

SPRAY DISPENSER FOR PRESSURIZED LIQUID HAVING TIMER CONTROL Filed April 3, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6. /4

INVENTOR. JOHN IJ. MA MGEL v Il l W, gi/5MM 3,187,949 SPRAY DISPENSER FR PRESSURIZED LIQUID HAVING TIMER CONTRQL A .lohn J. Mangel, 4501 Ramona Drive, Riverside, Calif.

United States Patent O The present invention relates to pressurized liquid f be placed in any convenient location, and which operates to discharge a measured amount of pressurized liquid spray into the atmosphere at predetermined intervals of time.

In recent years, the use of pressurized liquidpreparations packed in containers having valves which are depressed to discharge a fine spray of atomized liquid into the atmosphere, has become extremely widespread because of the convenience and electiveness of this form of dispenser. Moreover, the iield of preparations now available in this form has been expanded to include a great varietyV of items such as insecticides, room fresheners, deodorants, disinfectants, bronchial `decongestants, and the like. Such pressurized liquid containers are provided with spring-pressed valve stems projecting upwardly from the top of the can, and this valve stem is depressed to release a spray of atomized fluid from the container. The valve mechanism may be of the metering type', which discharges a measured quantity of `spray each time that the stem is depressed, or it may be of a type in which a spray is continuously discharged as long as the stem is pressed down.

There are times when it is desirable to maintain a moreor-less constant dispersion of iinely divided mist` in the air to obtain continuous eect of the active ingredient. For example, it might be desired to spray metered quantities of an insecticide, or room freshener, or bronchial decongestant, into the Vairat predetermined intervals of time so as to keep a particular area completely free of insects, or to keep it constantly fresh, or to maintain a constant dispersion of decongestant in the air for longlasting relief of bronchial congestion.

Devices for automatically spraying a measured amount of ypressurized liquid at predetermined intervals of time have been developed for, this purpose. These devices employ a clockwork mechanism and some sort of cam arrangement or linkage system to periodically depress the spring-pressed plunger of a conventional metered spray dispenser. Since the plunger is discharged only"'every fifteen minutes orfso, the` clockwork mechanism has a` fairly long interval of time in which to store'up the energy required to depress the spring-pressed plunger. This is necessary because of the rather considerable amount of force required to press the stem inwardly.

Other devices have used clockwork timers which close a `switch at predetermined intervals of time, thereby energizing a solenoid that depress'es the spring-pressed Patented June 8, 1965 ICC y y j 2 spray dispenser, which is self-powered, and does not require an electrical outlet for its operation.

Another object-of the invention is to provide an automatically timed, metered spray dispenser which is relativelyinexpensive to produce, and which can be operated for extended periods of time on a pair of inexpensive, dry cell flashlight batteries.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pressurized liquid spray dispenser of the class described, in which the timing of the sprayzdischarge is accomplished by 'means `of an electronic timer, thereby eliminating clockwork mechanisms. The advantage of the electronic timer is that Vit fis absolutely quiet, long lasting, inexpensive, and reliable.

. These and' other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon considy eration of the following detailed description of the preplunger. ln both of the -above cases, it is necessary to Y connect the unit to an A.C. outlet, so as to provide the electrical energy necessary to drive the clockwork mechanism or to operate the solenoid. Such apparatus is not y only expensive because of the mechanism involved, but

is also inconvenient to use incertain installations, fas when dispensing insecticides in patios or` around swimming pools, where there is no convenient electrical outlet.

The primary object of the present 'invention is to provide a newl and improved automatically timed, metered cox ferred embodiment thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein: Y i

FIGURE l isa side elevational view of a metered spray dispenser embodying the principles of the invention; A FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the same; t f FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken at 3 3 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional View, taken at 4 4 in FIGURE 3;

- VFIGURE 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electronic circuit which times the apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, showing anotherform ofthe invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of a detail, showing the valve in the open condition. y

InY FIGURES 1 to 5 of the drawings, the apparatus of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a base 11 having an upwardly projecting, cylindrical pedestal 12, upon the top. end `of which is mounted an inverted container 13 filled with the pressurized liquid mixture to be dispensed. The liquid mixture within the container 13 consists'of the active liquid` ingredient and a propellant, usually a halogenated hydrocarbon, of which Freon is the' best-known example, having a high vapor pressure at room temperature. The vapor pressure of the propellant expels the fluid mixture through a nozzle, producing an extremely ne spray..

The container 13 is a'conventional sheet metal can of generally cylindrical form, which is closed at one end by a cup-shaped closure14 having a rolled edge 15 that interlocks with the edge of the container 13. The closure 14 is normally at th'eftop ofthe container 13, but since the container is inverted when mounted on the pedestal 12, the closure 14 appears to be at the bottom of the container in the drawings. Accordingly, the container 13 and .closure 14 will herein be described as they are shown in the drawings, and any reference to top or bottom is to be taken as meaning that which appears in the drawings to beat the top or `the bottom, without regard for the fact that these relationships arereversed when the can is right side up. f

Projecting downwardly fronrthe center of the cup-` 13 provided therein. Seated in the bottom of the cavity 16 is aV disk 20 of rubber-like material, which is held in placeby Va shallow, cup-shaped retainer 21. The annular side ange ofthe retainer 21 extends down between the plug 70 outer edge of the disk and the side walls of the boss 16, and the bottom of said retainer overlies the top of the disk around its margins. The boss 16 is pinched in at 22, thereby clamping the retainer 21 down in the bottom of the cavity 17. The side wall of the cup-shaped closure 14 is indented around its circumference during the process of assembling the closure on the can 13, and this leaves a shallow, annular groove 23 around the inside of the closure, which is utilized as will be described hereinafter.

The base 11 and pedestal 12 are preferably molded in one piecel of plastic, although any other material might .be used. The base 11'has a generally rectangular, boxlike configuration with rounded edges and corners, and is closed on the bottom by a sliding closure plate 24, the edges of which'slide within grooves 25 in the inside of the base 11. Mounted side-byside within the base 11 are two dry cell flashlight batteries 26, which constitute the source of electric current for the apparatus.V The batteries 26 are electrically connected in series by a spring clip 30 and are also connected by wires 31 and 32 (see FIG. 5) to anelectronic timer 33, which is also mounted within the base 11.

The pedestal 12 is formed with a cylindrical cavity 3S that extends downwardly from the top end thereof, and disposed within this cavity is a solenoid 36. The top edge of the cavity 35 is threaded at 37 to receive the threaded end of a top member di).

needle 72, the bottom end of which projects for a short distance below the bottom surface of the disk 5d and is shaped to provide a conical protuberance 73, which constitutes a valve seat for the hole extending through the center of the hollow needle 72. The needle 72 is soldered or brazed at 7d to secure the needle to the disk 50 and to seal against leakage. The needle projects for. a considerable distance above the top of the disk 50 and passes through a hole 75 in the top member 40'.

The top end of the hollow needle 72 is tapered for a portion of its length, and is beveled to a sharp point 76, which is positioned so as to penetrate the rubber disk 20 when the can 13 is mounted on the pedestal 12, as shown on the drawing. The rubber of the disk 20 is under cornpression, and when the sharp point 7 6 of the hollow needle is pushed through its center, the rubber closes tightly around the needle to seal the same against leakage. When thus pushed through the rubber Vdisk 20, the upper end of the needle 72 is disposed within the interior of the can 13, and the liquid contents of the can are thus enabled to drain through the hollow center of the needle, down into the metering chamber 77, which is largely iilled by the Projecting upwardly from the top of the member 40 is an annular ilange 41, the top edge of which is formed with a bead 4Z that is adapted to seat in the annular cavity 23 in the sides of the cup-shaped closure 414. The flange i1 may be slotted at 43, if desired, to provide resiliency so that the flange 41 may yield inwardly when the can k13 is pushed down over its top.

The solenoid 36 comprises an annular coil 44 which surrounds a cylindrical plastic sleeve 45.` Enclosing the coil V'-lt around its outer circumference is a sleeve 46 of iron or other magnetic material, and the top of the coil is covered by a circular disk 50 of iron having a central boss 51 projecting downwardly into the sleeve 45 d for a short distance. The bottom end of the coil 44 is covered by an iron washer 52, having a central aperture 53 through which the sleeve 45 projects downwardly.

The cavity has a shallow, central recess 54 formed in the bottom thereof, into which'the bottom end of the sleeve 45 projects. Seated within'the recess 54 and surrounding the sleeve 45 is an O-ring seal 55. The recess 54, in turn, has a shallow central cavity 56 in its bottom, and rising from the center thereof is a conical protuberance 60. A small diameter hole 61 extends down through the center of the protuberance 60 and intersects a horizontal bore 62, which extends to the front surface of the pedestal V12, where it is enlarged slightly to receive a spray nozzle 63, having a small diameter aperture 64 in the center thereof;v The conical protuberance 60 serves as a valve seat for the exit hole 61, and is engageable by valve means which will now be described.

Slidable vertically within the plastic sleeve 45 is a cylindrical armature 65 of soft `iron or other magnetic material. The armature 65 has an outside diameter only slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the sleeve 45, so that it slides freely within the latter, between a first position at the bottom of the sleeve 45, and a second position, somewhat higher, in which the top end of the armature abuts against the conical protuberance 73. Formed in one side of the armature 65 is a longitudinally extending groove 66, the purpose of which is to provide a passageway from the t'op of the cylinder to the bottom. The armature 65 has a bore extending down therethrough, and filling this bore is a plug 7@ of synthetic rubber or elastomeric plastic, the ends of which are flush with the ends of the armature. The bottom end of the rubber seats on the valve seat 60 to close the hole 61 and thereby prevent liquid from escaping to the nozzle.

The disk 50 is drilled centrally at 71 `to receive a hollow cylindrical `armature 65. The hollow needle 72 thus functions as a supply tube, and, in fact, might alternatively be replaced by an ordinary supply tube attached to the usual valve mechanism of a conventional upright' container, in which case the valve stem would have to be depressed to permit free flow of the liquid into the metering chamber 77 when required. As the liquid runs into the metering chamber 77, it Vflows down through the groove 66 to the bottom of the chamber, filling the same. During this time, the small diameter exit hole 61 is closed by the rubber plug 70, the bottom end of which normally rests upon the conical valve seat 60.

. When the solenoid 36 is energized, the armature 65 is drawn up into the coil 44, thereby unseating the bottom end of the rubber plug 70 from the conical valve seat 60. This allows the liquid contained within the metering chamber 77 t'o escapethrough the hole 61, passageway 62 and nozzle 63; the said liquid being expelled by the vapor pressure of the propellant. At the same time, the upward movement of the armature 65 causes the top end of the rubber plug 70 to close against the conical valve seat 73, thereby closing the hollow opening in the needle '72 to prevent the escape of liquid from the container 13 while the solenoid is thus energized. The solenoid 36 is only momentarily energized by a pulse of current from the interval timer 33, which causes the armature to be lifted momentarily by the electromagnetic force, and then allowed to drop by gravity back down to the position shown in FIGURE 3.

The momentary pulse of electricity is transmitted to the solenoid 36 by the electronic circuit 33, which is shown schematically in FIGURE 5. The circuit 33 employs two transistors 80 and 81, together with two capacitors 82 and 83, and three resistors 84, and 86. Resistors 84 and 86 are fixed resistors, while resistor 85 is a variable resistor. The resistance values for the resistors 84, 85 and 86 and the capacitance values for the capacitors 82 and 83 one side of the capacitor 83, and to one end of the resistor 86. The base of transistor 81 is connectedA by a wire 91 to one side of the capacitor 82 Iand to one end of resistor 85. Wire 31 is connected through resistor 84 to the collector of transistor 80, and through the solenoid coil 44 to the collector of transistor 81. The emitters of both transistors 'S0 and 81 are connected to wire 32. Resistor 85 is connected between wire 31 and wire 91; while resistor 86 is connected between wire 31 and wire 90.

and capacit-or 83 regulate the on time. The variable resistor 85 has a rotatable stern 92 projecting upwardly through the opening in the top of the base 11, and a knob 93 is aiiixed to the top -end thereof. By turning the knob l 93 one way or the other, the-resistance of the resistor 84 can be varied between 100K ohms, and -10O megohms, which enables the unitl to vary the interval between current pulses from as little as about seconds to around 20 minutes maximum.

fThedischargefrom the capacitors 82, 83` is relatively small, and its purpose is to trigger the-transistors 80, 81, which function as switches to transmit `greatly amplied current from the battery 26 tothe solenoidcoil 44. It has been found that approximately 300 milliamperes is suiiicient to operate the solenoid coil 44, and the length of time that this current is drawn is in the neighborhood of half a second.

-Another,slightly modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, to which attention is now directed. In this embodiment of the invention, `parts which have substantially the same conguration or function as those described in the first embodiment, are given the same reference numerals, with the prime suix.

This second embodiment of the invention Vis generally similar in configuration to that described earlier, and has a base 11 which contains batteries and an electronic circuit. The base 11 is somewhat larger than in the rst embodiment to permit recessing the cylindrical portion 12' down into the base, thereby reducing the overall height of the pedestal. The solenoid 36 is thus contained within the base 11', and. differs from the solenoid 36 in that it is inverted; i.e., the circular disk.50 is at the bottom, and thewasher 52 is at the top. The armature 65' is 'normally elevated to a iirst position` shown in FiGURE 6, and is drawn downwardly by electromagnetic attraction to a second position when the coil 44' is energized.

The armature 65' has a cylindrical cavity 100, formed in the jbottom end thereof, and a coilY spring 101 is disposed within the cavity with its bottom end"V standing upon the raised boss 51` which projects upwardly from the.center o'fpthe bottom plate 50'; The spring 101 presses upwardly against the armature 65,and -its upward pressure is only slightly more thanthe weight of the armature.r

Projectingupwardly from the top end lof the armature 65' is a slender stem 102 having a mushroomlikeY head 103 at the top end thereof. The head 103 is embedded within the top end 1040i a plug 105 made of soft," rubber-like elastomer. The plug 105 is in the lform of a cylindrical boss 105 rising from the center of a circular, radial flange 107, which is seated against a shoulder 108 in the bottom of themember 40. The ange 107 is clamped against thin, sleeve-like wall connecting the top end 104 to the ange 107. The rubber plug 105 is seated within a cylindrical chamber `114, 'into which the'hollow needle 72 opens at the top end, and the exit passageway 62 extends radially therefrom, 4terminating in the spray nozzle 63'. Inthis embodiment, the nozzle 63 is inclined upwardly at an angle of about 30 degrees, so that the spray will not hit the top surface `of the base 11 Normally;A the resiliency of the thin side Wall of the rubber plug 105 is sufficient to press the top end 104 of the plug against the inlet valve Iseat 73. The spring 101 carries most'A o f the .weight of the armature 65 and if desired, the spring 101 Vmay be made to exert a slight upward pressurein excess ofthe weight of thearmature so as to aid in holding the end 104 of the rubber plug against the valve seat 73. t

f When the solenoid 36 is energized by a pulse of current from the electronic circuit 33, thearmature 6 5 is pulled downwardly by electromagnetic force, thereby unseating the top en d 104 of the rubber plug 105 from the valve seatl 73. In doing this, the side walls of the rubber plug 1 05 are bulged, orcompressed, as shown in FIGURE 7. While the plug end 104 isthus unseated from the valve seat 7'3, uidfrom the4 can 13 flows through the hollow needle 72 -into thechamber '114, and thence out through the'exit'passageway 62 and spray nozzle 63. The small diameterof the hole `in the hollow needle`72 limits the amount of liquid that can ow from the container 13, and the total -amount of' liquid discharged by the spray nozzle is governed' by this throttling effect, together with the duration'of the time interval when lthe valve is open. When the solenoid 36 is (le-energized, the resiliency of the plug walls 106, plus the lift exerted by the spring 101; causes the plug `105to seat again onlthe valve seat '73', thereby cutting off the owofliquid.

1 While I- have shown and described in `considerable detail two illustrative embodiments of my invention, it

' will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to such details,y and that various changes may be made inl the shape and arrangement of the` several parts without departing from the broad scope of the appended claims.

'/Iclaim: t

the shoulder 108 by a washer 109`which is engaged on its underneath sideby the top end of the plastic. sleeve 45'. The top end of the sleeve 445' has a radial ilange v110, the bottom edge of which rests on top of .the washer 52. This ange provides additional thickness for the top end ofthe sleeve,` so as to provide additional compressive strength for clamping the washer 109 against the ange Anannular ridge112, projects downwardly from the shoulder` 10S, and presses into the t-op surface of the flange 107 to secure the flange against being pulled inwardly with respecttoits seat. 'The plug 105 has a cavity 113 extendingup through the center of the cylindrical ,boss 106, which leaves a `1. A dispenserfor'automatically discharging a metered spray of pressurizedliquid from a` container at predetermined intervals of time, comprising:

A a supporting body holding saidchontainer, said supporting body. having'a chamber provided therein; a tube conveying liquid from the interior of said container to vsaid chamber; a spray nozzle connected to said chamber; a s olenoidniounted on said'supp'orlting body andI having t an armature movable between a iirst position and a second position;

salid'solenoid armature beingope'rable to shut olf the A discharge vof liquid through said nozzle when at said rst position; y said solenoid armature being operable when at said second `position to cause said liquid to be discharged throughsaidnoz zle;"` a source of electricity; and a resistance-capacitance circuit connected `to`said source and to said solenoid, said circuit including at least A`one capacitor that is slowly. charged .with electricity fromsaid source over a predetermined interval of time and then discharges a momentary pulse of current that energizesV said solenoid and causes said armature to be shifted momentarilyffrom`said'rst position to 'said second position, thereby discharging 1 a metered quantity of liquid through .said nozzle.Av 2, A dispenser for` automatically discharging ametered spray of` pressurized liquidfrom a container at predetermined intervals of time, said container having an elastomer closure at, the top end thereof, comprising:

a supporting body having means thereon to engage the top end of said container andhold the same in inverted position; i

a hollow needle projecting upwardly -from said supwhen said solenoid armature is at the other of said positions, thereby permitting uid to ow into said chamber;

a source of electricity; and

porting body, and adapted to pierce said elastomer an interval timer operable at predetermined intervals Aclosure and project into the interior of said conof time lto send a momentary pulse of current from tainer'; n said source to said solenoid so as to energize the `a chamber formed Within said supporting body, said same and cause said armature to be shifted momenhollow needle opening into said chamber; tarily from one of said positions to the other, thereby a spray nozzle connected to said chamber; 10 causing a metered quantity of liquid to be sprayed a solenoid mounted on said supporting body and having through said nozzle.

an armature movable between a iirstposition and a 5. A dispenser for automatically discharging a metered second position Vsaid solenoid armature being operspray of pressurized liquid from 4a container at predeterable to shut olf the discharge of liquid through said mined intervals of time, comprising: spray nozzle when at one of said positions; a supporting body holding said container, said supportsaid solenoid armaturebeing operable when at'the other ing body having a cylindrical chamber provided of said positions to cause said liquid to be distherein; charged through said spray nozzle; a supply tube conveying liquid from the interior of said a source of electricity; and container to said chamber, said Vsupply tube termian interval timer operable at predeterminedintervals Y2() nating in'a iirst valve seat of small contact area at of time to send a momentary pulse of current from one end of said chamber; Y said source to said solenoid so as to energize the a spray nozzle having a passageway opening into said same and cause said armature to be shifted momenchamber at the other end thereof, said passageway tarily from one of said positions to the other, thereby terminating in a second valve seat of small contact causing a meter quantity of liquid to be sprayed area; l through said nozzle. v a solenoid comprising a coil surrounding said chamber 3. A dispenser for automatically discharging a metered and having a cylindrical armature slidably disposed spray of pressurized liquid` from a container at predewithin said chamber for movement along the axis termined intervals of time, said container having an elasthereof; f

tomer closure at the top end thereof; comprising: said armature having exposed areas of soft, rubber-like a supportingbody having means thereon to engage the elastomer at both ends thereof, which are adapted top end of said container (and hold the same kin into seat on one or the other of said valve seats when verted position; at the'end of its travel in one direction or the other; a hollow needle projecting upwardly from said supsaid armature being operable to seat on said second porting body and adapted to pierce said elastomer valve seat so as to close said spray nozzle passageclosure and project into the interior of Said container; Way and open said supply tube Ywhen at one end of a chamber formed within said supporting body, said its travel, and to seat on said first Valve seat so as hollow needle opening into said chamber; to open said spray nozzle passageway and close said a spray nozzle connected to said chamber; supply tube when at the other end of its travel; a solenoid mounted on said supporting body and hav- 40 a source of electricity; and v ing an armature movable between a rst position and an interval timer operable at predetermined intervals a second position; of time to send a momentary pulse of current from said solenoid armature being operable to shut olf the said source to said solenoid so as to energize the llow of liquid throughl said hollow needle into said Y same and cause said armature to be shifted momenchamber when at one of said positions; tarily from one of said positions to the other, theresaid solenoid armature being operable when at the by causing a metered quantity of liquid -to be sprayed other of said positions to permit the flow of liquid through said nozzle. through said hollow needle into said chamber; 6, A dispenser for automatically discharging a metered a source of electricity; and spray of pressurized liquid from a container atV predetera resistance-capacitance circuit connected to said mined intervalsvof time, comprising: source and to said' solenoid, said circuit including at a supporting body-holding said container, said supportleast one capacitor that is slowly charged with elecing body having a chamber provided therein; tricity from said source over a predetermined intera supply tube conveying liquid from the interior of val of time and then discharges a momentary pulse Said COIltaflel" t0 Said Chamber, Sad SUPPY tube of current that causes said solenoid to be energized, terminating in a ValVe Seat 0f Small CODtaCt area; thereby shifting said armature momentarily from one a 'Spray nozzle Connected to said chamber; 0f said positions te the other and causing a metered valve means of soft, rubber-like elastomer having one quantity of liquid to be sprayed through said nozzle. end portion adapted to bear against said valve seat 4. A dispenser for automatically discharging a metered and thereby stop the flow of liquidfrom said supply spray of pressurized liquid from va container at predetertube IIO Said Chamber; mined intervals ef time, comprising; the other end portion of said valve means being ata supporting body holding said container, said supportached to Said supporting body;

ing body having a chamber provided therein; a solenoid mounted on said supporting body below a Supply tube Conveying liquid from the interior 0f Said Valve 111621115, Said SOleIlOid including all armasaid container to said chamber, said supply tube terture movable 'foward and WY ffOm Said Valve Seat; minating in a valve seat of small contact area; a stem attached at one end to said armature and at the a spray nezzleeeimeeted te said chamber; other end to said one end portion of said valve Va -solenoid mounted on said supporting body and having means; Y

an armature movable between a first position and A said valve means beingnormally extended, with said Ya second position; Y 70 one kend portion seated against said valve seat; valve means p' of soft, rubber-like elastomer bearing Said ValVe means being Compressed and Said one end against said valve seat when said solenoid armature portion pulled away from said valve seat by moveit at one of said positions, so as to stop the flow of ment Aof, said armature when said solenoid is enerliquid from said supply tube into said chamber; gized; said valve means being Iremoved from said valveseat a source of electricity; and

an interval timer operable at predetermined intervals` of time to send a' momentary. pulse of current from said source to said solenoid so as toenergize the same and cause-said armature to be shifted momentarily from one 'of said' positions to the'other, thereby causing a metered quantity of liquid to be sprayed through saidrizzle. Y

7. An automatic dispenser forpressuriz'ed liquids as in claim '6, wherein said source of electricity' comprisesbatterres mounted 'in saiusupportin'g Body; and saidinterval timer comprises a resistancelcapacitance circuit connected to said batteries and to said-` solenoid said circuit including at least one capacitor 4'that is slowly chr'gd'with electricity from said batteries over a predetermined interval of time and then discharges a current pulse of short duration that energizes said solenoid andy causes said armature to unseat said valve means momentarily from said valve seat, thereby allowing liquid to flow into said chamber through said supply tube, and thence out through said spray nozzle.

S. A dispenser for automatically discharging a metered spray of pressurized liquid from a container at predetermined intervals of time, said container having an elastomer closure at the top end thereof, comprising:

a supporting body having means thereon to engage the top end of said container and hold the same in inverted position; Y t

a hollow needle projecting upwardly from said supporting body and adapted to pierce said elastomer closure and project into the interior of said'container;

a chamber formed within said supporting body, said hollow needle opening into said chamber and terminating in a valve seat;

a spray nozzle connected to said chamber;

valve means of soft, rubber-like elastomer disposed within said chamber and having one portion thereof adapted to bear against said valve seat;

a solenoid mounted on said supporting body and having an armature movable between a lirst position when the solenoid is de-energized and a second position when the solenoid is energized;

means connecting lsaid armature to said one portion of said Valve means, whereby said one portion of said valve means is seated on said valve seat when the armature is at said lirst position, and is unseated from said valve seat when the armature is at said Isecond position;

a source of electricity; and

an interjyal timer operable at predetermined intervals of tinie to send a momentary pulse of current from said source to said solenoid so as to energize the same and cause said armature to be shifted momentarily from said first position to said second position, thereby causing a metered quantity of liquid to be sprayed through said nozzle.

9. A self-powered dispenser for automatically discharging a metered spray of pressurized liquid from a container at predetermined intervals of time, comprising:

a supporting body holding said container, said supporting body having a .cylindrical chamber provided therein;

a supply tube conveying liquid from the interior of said container to said chamber, and terminating in a valve seat of small Contact area at one end of said chamber;

a spray nozzle having a passageway opening into said chamber at the other end thereof and terminating in a valve seat of small contact area;

a solenoid comprising a coil surrounding said chamber and having a cylindrical armature slidably disposed within said chamber for movement along `the axis thereof; Y said armature having exposed areas of soft, rubber-like elastomer at both ends thereof, which are adapted to seat on"one or the other of said valve seats when at the end of its travel in one direction or the other;

soVV

said armature being normally positioned at one end of said chamber when said'solenoid is .de-energized, `in Vwhich position said spray nozzle passageway i'sclosed and said supply tube isopen; ,i i

said armature being moved towardthe other end of said chamber when saidsol'enoid is`ener`g'ized,` thereby opening said spray nozzle passageway and closing said supplytube; Y f

a battery mounted in said supporting body; and t,

a resistance-capacitance circuit connected Ytosaidg battery 'and to said solenoid`,"said `circuit` including at least one capacitor that is' slowly charged withjelectricity frorh said battery over a predetermined interval of time and then discharges a current pulse of short duration which energizes said solenoid and causes said armature to move toward said other end of said chamber, thereby allowing liquid contained within said chamber to be discharged through said spray nozzle, while said supply tube is closed to prevent escape of liquid from said container.

10. A dispenser for automatically discharging a metered spray of pressurized liquid from a container at predetermined intervals of time, said container having a closure at lone end embodying a cylindrical surface having means deiining an annular shoulder, comprising:

a supporting body having a cylindrical portion disposed to receive said cylindrical surface on said container closure in a snug lit, said cylindrical portion on said supporting body having resilient means engaging said annular shoulder to secure said container thereto;

said supporting body having a chamber provided therein;

a supply tube conveying liquid from the interior of said container to said chamber, said supply tube terminating in a valve seat of small contact area;

a spray nozzle connected to said chamber;

a solenoid mounted on said supporting body and having an armature movable between a iirst position and a second position;

valveV means of soft, rubber-like elastomer bearing against said valve seat when said solenoid armature is at one of said positions, so as to stop the ow of liquid from said supply tube into said chamber;

said valve means being removed from said valve seat when said solenoid armature is at the other of said positions, thereby permitting fluid to ow into said chamber;

a source of electricity; and

an interval timer operable at predetermined intervals `of time to send a momentary pulse of current from said source to said solenoid so as to energize the same and cause said armature to be shifted momentarily from one of said positions to the other, thereby causing a metered quantity of liquid to be sprayed through s said nozzle.

11. A dispenser for automatically discharging a metered V spray of pressurized liquid from a container at predetermined intervals of time, comprising:

a supporting body'holding said container, said supporting body having a chamber provided therein;

a supply tube conveying liquid from the interior of said container to said chamber, said supply tube terminating in a valve seat of small contact area;

a spray nozzle connected to said chamber;

a solenoid mounted on saidsupporting body and having an armature movable between a first position and a second position;

valve means of soft, rubber-like elastomer Vbearing against 4said valve seat when said solenoid armature is at one of said positions, so as to stop the ilow of liquid from said supply tube into said chamber;

said valve means being removed from said valve seat when said solenoid armatureis at the other of said positions, thereby permitting iluid to ow into said chamber; l

l 3,187,945 11 n l2 a battery mounted in said supportingbody; i l through said spray nozzle, said pulses of current being a resistance-capacitance circuit connected to said battery spaced apart a predetermined interval of time.

and to said solenoid, said circuit including at least one capacitor that is periodically charged with elec- References Cited by the Examiner tricity from said battery and then allowed to dis- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS charge; 2,838,208 6/58 Levit Z22-453 X said circuit also including means actuated by sai 2,928,573 3/60 Edelstein 222-394 X capacitor for delivering momentary pulses of current 3,127,060 3/ 64 Vosbikian et al 222-394 X to said solenoid to energize the same and cause said 3,132,767 5/64 Gardner et a1 222-3 armature to move from said one position to said other V10 position, thereby uncovering Vsaid valve seat and LOUIS JDEMBO Pnmary Exammer' allowing fluid Within said container to be discharged RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISCHARGING A METERED SPRAY OF PRESSURIZED LIQUID FROM A CONTAINER AT PREDETERMINED INTERVALS OF TIME, COMPRISING: A SUPPORTING BODY HOLDING SAID CONTAINER, SAID SUPPORTING BODY HAVING A CHAMBER PROVIDED THEREIN; A TUBE CONVEYING LIQUID FROM THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER TO SAID CHAMBER; A SPRAY NOZZLE CONNECTED TO SAID CHAMBER; A SOLENOID MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING BODY AND HAVING AND ARMATURE MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION; SAID SOLENOID ARMATURE BEING OPERABLE TO SHUT OFF THE DISCHARGE OF LIQUID THROUGH SAID NOZZLE WHEN AT SAID FIRST POSITION; SAID SOLENOID ARMATURE BEING OPERABLE WHEN AT SAID SECOND POSITION TO CAUSE SAID LIQUID TO BE DISCHARGED THROUGH SAID NOZZLE; A SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY; AND A RESISTANCE-CAPACITANCE CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE AND TO SAID SOLENOID, SAID CIRCUIT INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE CAPACITOR THAT IS SLOWLY CHARGED WITH ELECTRICITY FROM SAID SOURCE OVER A PREDETERMINED INTERVAL OF TIME AND THEN DISCHARGES A MOMENTARY PULSE OF CURRENT THAT ENERGIZES SAID SOLENOID AND CAUSES SAID ARMATURE TO BE SHIFTED MOMENTARILY FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION, THEREBY DISCHARGING A METERED QUANTITY OF LIQUID THROUGH SAID NOZZLE. 